Cohort 2 completes Parish Missionary Disciples training adding more witnesses to ignite parish life

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Laura Keener

Editor

Cohort 2 completed four weekends of Parish Missionary Disciples training, May 17, at St. Joseph Parish, Cold Spring. Carla Molina, leadership consultant, Catholic Leadership Institute, led the training, with Deacon James Fortner, diocesan chief operating officer and Jamie Schroeder, chancellor, leading the sending at the final meeting.

In his comments, Deacon Fortner emphasized the importance of PMD as a model of how diocesan offices and parishes should work together, as envisioned by Bishop John Iffert.

“To him, this is the model of a lot of our ministries, where we provide some training, some accompaniment, some skill building and then we turn the lay faithful loose, to go work back at their parish,” said Deacon Fortner. “Parish life is ground zero, that’s where relationships are struck, that’s where we lead people to the sacraments.”

PMD is a training program designed to equip parishioners with the skills needed for effective evangelization. This includes knowing and be able to articulate a personal faith witness and to engage with others through prayer. PMD is part of the With One Heart initiative and a Leadership Development strategy of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan. PMD training is led by consultants from the Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI) and has been offered to members in the Diocese of Covington at no charge, thanks to generous donations from benefactors committed to promoting evangelization efforts in the diocese.

“We’re blessed to have CLI that brings this capability,” Deacon Fortner said.

Cohort 1, a group of 60 witnesses, completed PMD training in April 2024. Cohort 2 adds another 31 witnesses to Bishop Iffert’s goal of 500 witnesses, impacting 90 percent of parishes in the Diocese. Two initiatives begun by two couples from Cohort 1 will help the diocese to meet its goal.

The first is the establishment of the GYMM, an acronym for Growing Your Missionary Disciples Muscles. Bill and Kim Dehlinger, parishioners, Blessed Sacrament Parish and Jerry and Bridget Otto, Mother of God Parish, host a monthly meeting for PMD witnesses. At the GYMM, witnesses practice what they learned — praying together and sharing their faith story.

“The idea for the GYMM is that this is a place where you can go back and review and be refreshed and be renewed and get support and network with everybody else that’s been through Parish Missionary Disciples,” said Mrs. Schroeder. “I really encourage you to do that, just to keep this going and to keep that fire burning.”

The second is to continue honing a shorter, more easily presentable discipleship program to implement at parishes. Mr. and Mrs. Otto have already taken leadership of this program. With the blessing of the CLI, the Otto’s took the information from PMD training and distilled it into three two-hour sessions. Last month, the Otto’s held the first presentation at Mother of God Church. “It was a big success,” said Deacon Fortner noting that about 25 people from parishes across the diocese attended. “Honestly, that’s kind of what we’re thinking is the path forward, to reformulate this and to do an intermediate kind of a program.”

Having quantitative measures is certainly a worthy goal, but Deacon Fortner said, more important “is transformation.”

“You guys need to take this competency and run with it,” Deacon Fortner said, “We’re never going to have all the training, trust me. You’re never going to feel like you got it all, because we don’t. It’s all about the Holy Spirit. You know how to love. Invite others to dinner, invite them into a relationship and let the Holy Spirit come lead.”

Cafeteria Employee – Villa Madonna Academy

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Villa Madonna Academy has an opening for a cafeteria employee.  If you would be interested in serving nutritious and delicious meals in an atmosphere of efficiency, cleanliness, and warmth please contact cafeteria manager, Barbara Droege, at bdroege@villamadonna.net to set up an appointment for an interview.

Education & Formation Program Manager – St. Vincent de Paul

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Scope of Position:

The Education & Formation Program Manager serves as the manager of the Ozanam Center, a retreat and educational program of SVDP – Cincinnati, and is a key leader within the Education & Formation Department. The Manager is responsible for leading the creation, planning and facilitation of transformational immersive learning opportunities. These experiences enable participants to fully connect their experiences in service with expressions of faith and social justice, engage the local community as a partner in that effort, and grow participants through a journey of self and communal discovery. The Program Manager cultivates relationships throughout the community to create a circle of support for the Education program and our mission, including collaboration with St. Vincent de Paul Conferences. The Manager collaborates effectively with a diverse group of internal and external partners to include staff, volunteers, Vincentians, local schools, parishes, universities, as well as professional and faith-based groups.

Job Responsibilities:

Program Development & Implementation

  • Manage the daily operations of the Ozanam Center for a quality experience, including but not limited to
    1. Oversee Ozanam Center calendar, focusing outreach efforts to optimize immersion retreat and workshop opportunities.
    2. Collaborate with local community partners to plan, schedule, and facilitate dynamic immersion experiences, workshops, and activities according to group needs & requests.
  • Serve as liaison between the Ozanam Center and other departments within St. Vincent de Paul to develop and implement new opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration and programming.
  • Assist in developing educational program curriculum addressing current issues, integrating Roman Catholic Social Teaching and Vincentian spirituality, as appropriate to the audience.
  • Assist in managing Ozanam Center finances within budget and ensure timely invoicing and payment with community partners and clients.
  • Assist in designing and developing new educational initiatives, experiences, resources, and methods in support of stakeholders’ needs promoting a culture of continuous growth and engagement.

Vincentian Formation

  • Serve as a collaborative member of the wider Vincentian Services team in support of Conferences and their members carrying out the mission of St. Vincent de Paul, including but not limited to:
    • Under the guidance of the Director, assist in facilitating workshops, retreats, reflections, and other formational opportunities.
    • Assist in developing and delivering Safeguarding training and continuing education materials.
    • Provide additional support for holiday programming, service days, and district special events.

Safeguarding

  • Manage and coordinate Safeguarding training, ensuring compliance.
  • Manage background checks and accurate records for Safeguarding Compliance.
  • Provide updates and respond to inquiries regarding Safeguarding status as needed.

The entire job description can be found here:

https://recruitingbypaycor.com/career/JobIntroduction.action?clientId=8a7883c68e824f98018ea68e6c330aae&id=8a7885a896d0a1500196eedb1c27138c&source=&code=&fromAggregate=false&qToken=&applicant_guid=

Organist combines love of music and desire for peace and unity into a daily prayer meditation

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Laura Keener

Editor

As the Messenger continues highlighting the Campaign of Mercy and its foundation — the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, this month we focus on the spiritual work of praying for the living. Praying for others strengthens the unity of the Body of Christ and brings us closer to Christ. It is intercessory prayer, praying to God on behalf of another. The Catechism teaches, “Since Abraham, intercession — asking on behalf of another has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God’s mercy.” (CCC 2635) Praying for others is an act of love, strengthening the bonds within the Church and drawing individuals closer to God.

The Messenger caught up, April 4, with Tony Beyer and his mom, Mary Jo, to learn more about what began as a Lenten meditation 16 years ago and has developed into a yearlong global prayer for peace.

Music has always been a passion of Mr. Beyer’s. He’s been playing the piano “as soon as he could reach his grandparents piano,” Mrs. Beyer said. His home piano is a “theater piano” made by his grandfather in 1971, he proudly shares.

Mr. Beyer is one of the organists at St. Anthony Parish, Taylor Mill. He also plays the organ three Saturdays each month at Holy Name Church, Mt. Auburn, for the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants morning Mass. Naturally, his prayer meditation is replete with music, incorporating songs whose lyrics “voice my prayer intentions.”

These songs include, “Little Baby Yet Unborn,” by Dana; “Honesty” by Billy Joel; “Mama” by BJ Thomas; “In the Living Years” by Mike and the Mechanics and “America, the Dream Goes On” by James Ingram. His prayer meditation begins with the Our Father, and includes the rosary, the Fatima prayer and the prayer to St. Raphael.

Mr. Beyer said that he began his prayer meditation during the 2009 election, when he began to see strong division during the election process and developed concern for the policies candidates were promoting.

“Since then, (I’ve) been worried about our nation,” said Mr. Beyer. “In 2009, I took it as my cue to research when each state was admitted into the Union” and to pray for each state by the order they were admitted.

Mr. Beyer begins his Lenten mediation 11 days before Lent actually begins so that he can include all of the states. Each day, he loads an image of the state’s capital on his computer to help focus his prayer. On the first day, he prays for the United Nations. “I hope that by praying at the UN building on my computer, it would be for the world over,” he said. The Lenten meditation ends on Holy Saturday, with prayers for Washington, D.C.

“I hope to bring the United States back to freedom and holiness and unity,” said Mr. Beyer. Mrs. Beyer limits his prayer meditation to 45 minutes each day, “because he’s not a monk,” she said laughingly.

Throughout the year, Mr. Beyer continues his prayer meditation for peace by including iconic cultural and familial places. A picture of Rockefeller Center and the Hollywood sign, focus his prayer for the American culture and the media. Mr. Beyer also pulls up photographs of prisons, “to pray for prison inmates to amend their lives and to bring an end to crime.” He includes pictures of colleges that family members have attended, “to pray for the professors and staff there,” he said.

He pulls up locations where his family members live, “to pray for peace in my family and to pray for other families, for peace in their families as well,” he said. His brother-in-law is from Poland, so he often includes a photo of Krakow, “so that they would be true to the legacy of His Holiness Pope John Paul II.”

Mr. Beyer said that he is driven by the famous adage that those who don’t learn their history are doomed to repeat it.

“What the world really wants is Jesus, but the world is too proud to admit to it,” he said.

The voice of the shepherd grants peace, said Bishop Iffert at Mass celebrating newly elected pontiff

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Clergy and laity came together from across the diocese to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for the election of Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native recently elected Pope by the cardinal conclave succeeding the late Pope Francis. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop John Iffert, May 12, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington.

Also the homilist for the Mass, Bishop Iffert recalled a quote from St. Augustine he had heard twice in recent times — from the installation of Archbishop Michael McGovern of Omaha, and from Pope Leo XIV when he was first introduced as pope.

“For you, I am a bishop, but, with you, I am a Christian,” Bishop Iffert repeated the quote. But, he said, the quote is taken out of context, explaining that “the former is a duty, the latter is a grace. The former is danger, the latter is salvation.”

Bishop Iffert recalled Cardinal Joseph Tobin’s words during the conclave. He recalled Pope Leo XIV’s fear as the voting ended and his apparent peace after the tally that declared him the next pope.

“Where does that peace come from,” Bishop Iffert asked the congregation during his homily, “for one who is facing stepping onto the world stage in a way that so few will ever have to face? To bear the burden of the weight of shepherding the entire Church of Christ on earth. How does one bear under such a strain?”

“There’s only one way,” Bishop Iffert explained, “These men, Francis, and now Leo — they are practiced at listening for the voice of the shepherd. They are practiced at hearing his call and letting it be their comfort … He is joined to the body of Christ, and he finds there among us, with Christ, the strength to allow himself to be sacrificed in all the various ways he will be sacrificed.”

“We come together today to acknowledge the sacrifice our brother is making,” Bishop Iffert said, “and to give thanks to God for choosing him and for supporting him with his grace, for guiding him in the way of Christ.”

Deacon requests prayers as he prepares for ordination to the priesthood

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

“It feels like a big change is coming,” Deacon Joshua Heskamp told the Messenger, in an interview with the Messenger preparing for his upcoming ordination to the priesthood. Having finished his studies as a seminarian, and nearing the end of his year in the transitional diaconate, Deacon Heskamp will be ordained in a public ceremony, June 7, 10 a.m., at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington.

Additionally, many members of Deacon Heskamp’s family will be participating in the Mass’s liturgy, with his brothers as lectors and his uncle, Father Jeffrey Von Lehmen, pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Taylor Mill, will concelebrant and vest Deacon Heskamp in priestly robes during the ordination.

“The next big step is ordination,” Deacon Heskamp said, “It feels a bit surreal, in a way, moving out of school and into full-time ministry — preparing myself for that.”

“Getting settled in the new life, a new routine of priesthood that’s unfamiliar to me … there’s a lot of unknown there that gives me anxiety, but I trust in the Lord that things will work out for the best in the end,” Deacon Heskamp said, though, in spite of his anxieties, he looks forward to service in the priesthood — and, in particular, through the sacraments.

“Celebrating the Mass, hearing confessions, doing Anointing of the Sick … being able to be an instrument of grace in people’s lives and leading others to Christ” are among the things that he most looks forward to.

As the date approaches, Deacon Heskamp requests the support of prayers from the people of the diocese. “The number one thing I can ask people for is to pray that I may minister with the heart of Christ,” he said, “that the heart of Christ may shine forth out of my priesthood and my ministry, and that I can fully give myself to them — to the people of God.”

Thomas More University appoints Randy Dennis as Head of School for Covington Latin School

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Laura Keener

Editor

Thomas More University announced this week the completion of the Covington Latin School leadership team. Randy Dennis is appointed Head of School for Covington Latin School and will assume the role on July 1, 2025.

Mr. Dennis joins Covington Latin School at an exciting time, with the 2025-26 academic year to be the first under a new affiliation with Thomas More University. As Head of School, Dennis will work collaboratively to leverage the advantages of this new partnership and lead strategic planning initiatives that maintain and advance Covington Latin School’s mission to provide a rigorous Catholic, classical education for the region’s most gifted learners.

“I am thrilled to welcome Randy Dennis as Head of School for Covington Latin School,” says Thomas More University President Joseph L. Chillo, LP.D. “As an experienced and visionary educational leader, Dennis is uniquely suited to lead Covington Latin into a new era.

Mr. Dennis most recently served as principal of St. Lawrence Catholic School in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. He successfully led the merge of St. Lawrence with St. Mary School (Aurora, Indiana), while overseeing a period of record growth in enrollment and demonstrating a strong ability to unite faculty, staff, students and families under a shared mission and vision. He holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education from Indiana University and a Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction from University of St. Mary.

Earlier this month three people were appointed to the CLS leadership team: Samantha Darpel Rice, Dean of Studies; James Stebbins, Dean of Students and Madison Light, director of Campus Ministry. They join Amy Darpel, director for Advancement and Zack Ryle, director for Enrollment Management and Marketing, both of whom are currently serving in their respective roles.

“We love the energy and the excitement that people are bringing,” said Dr. Joseph Chillo, president, TMU, not only from the leadership team but also from parents, students, teachers, alumni and supporters.

“The leadership team that’s there in the building has just been really youthful excitement and, more importantly, the focus on mission is critically important at a time when we’re trying to redefine Catholic education with this model that we’re working on.”

Over the last year, leaders at Thomas More University and the Diocese of Covington have been transitioning Covington Latin School to TMU as a University affiliated school. On June 1, TMU will begin oversight of the affiliation and begin to run the CLS based on the model. While there will be no changes to curriculum for the upcoming 2025–2026 school year, Dr. Chillo said that plans are already in the works “in terms of what academic pathways are going to like” for the 2026–2025 academic year. Covington Latin School’s name, motto, accelerated program and classical Catholic education will not change.

“That’s the foundation. We are firm believers that there’s lots of similarities between a classical education and the Catholic intellectual tradition, which serves as a grounding for our university,” said Dr. Chillo. “Being able to integrate both the acceleration format along with the Catholic education component are tremendous assets and benefits that will lead into these new academic pathways that will allow students at Covington Latin to earn college credits at Thomas More and then us those college credits regardless of where they want to go to college after their time at Covington Latin.”

About the TMU/CLS affiliation, Dr. Chillo said, “I think this partnership, this affiliation, is really allowing us to utilize the best talents of both places to advance that educational experience for the students and the families who will be here.”

Bishop John Iffert welcomes the new head of school and expressed gratitude for the TMU/CLS transition team.

“I welcome Mr. Dennis to the Diocese of Covington as he accepts the position as Head of School for Covington Latin,” said Bishop Iffert. “In our meeting I found Mr. Dennis to be an energetic and mission-oriented leader. He is an accomplished educator who has effectively led Catholic schools through a period of transition. I thank Dr. Chillo, Kendra McGuire, our diocesan superintendent of Schools, and the TMU and CLS transition team for their expertise in leading this unique and innovative model in Catholic education for Northern Kentucky. My prayers and blessings to all as we continue to provide our children the highest quality academic education, grounded in Catholic teaching and modeled after Jesus Christ.”

6th Grade Language Arts & Religion Teacher – Immaculate Heart of Mary

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Immaculate Heart of Mary School is seeking a full-time 6th Grade Language Arts & Religion teacher for the 2025-2026 school year.  IHM is a two-time Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.  The ideal candidate is one who excels at developing relationships with students, works collaboratively with a team of teachers, instills a love for reading and writing in students, and is strong in their Catholic faith.  Interested candidates should email their cover letter, resume, and references to the principal, Mrs. Kristin Harper at kharper@ihmkyschool.org

Education & Formation Coordinator – St. Vincent de Paul

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St. Vincent de Paul – Cincinnati (SVDP) has served residents of Greater Cincinnati for over 150 years with basic needs such as food, medicine, and homelessness prevention through its outreach center in the West End and 53 parish-based volunteer Conferences. SVDP provides holistic direct assistance and systemic change services while treating neighbors in need with dignity and compassion.

Scope of Position:

As an integral part of the Education & Formation department. the Education & Formation Coordinator serves to lead the design and development of educational and formational content meant to inform, inspire, and evangelize on topics of Catholic Social Teaching, Social Justice, and Vincentian Spirituality across our immersive educational offerings to a variety of stakeholders and partners including both youth and adults.  Significant connection with, and support of, our volunteer Vincentians and Service Learning participants are key responsibilities in this role, including facilitation of programming to diverse groups.

Job Responsibilities: 

Program Development

  • Coordinates the development of curriculum, resources and educational program materials rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, Vincentian Spirituality, and utilizing the principles of Service Learning to deepen understanding of community needs
  • Regularly leads workshops, activities & simulations, and retreats for diverse community partners including our Vincentian members, high schools & universities, community organizations, corporate groups and others
  • Adapts and enhances programming based on participant feedback, stakeholder experiences, and best practices in adult & youth formation efforts
  • Supports the training and development of volunteers, facilitators, and others to effectively engage in leading program experiences.

Vincentian Formation

  • Coordinates the development of, and assists in facilitation of, formational programming (training tools, workshops, retreats, etc.) for Vincentians, volunteers, and staff in collaboration with the Director and other departments rooted in the mission and spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul.
  • Assists in developing new pathways for ongoing formation for local parishes, schools, universities, and other partners meeting their needs and program goals
  • Coordinates timely communications for Vincentians and partners informing them of upcoming offerings and opportunities, logistical details, etc.
  • Assists in the updating of records and membership database information, including processing and analyzing program feedback to continually enhances programs being offered.

 The full job posting can be found here:  Education & Formation Coordinator Job Posting

Director of Sacred Music and Primary Organist/Pianist – Saint Joseph Parish, Crescent Springs

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Saint Joseph Parish in Crescent Springs, KY is seeking a full-time Director of Sacred Music and Primary Organist/Pianist to lead vibrant, reverent, and participatory liturgical music. Located just 10 minutes from downtown Cincinnati, our growing parish is looking for a candidate with strong skills in choral direction, organ/piano, and liturgical planning. This salaried position includes benefits, regular Sunday Masses, school liturgies, feast days, and seasonal celebrations. For more information or to apply, contact Fr. Eric Boelscher or Kristin Maly at kmaly@stjosephcsky.org